Permian conodont biostratigraphy of Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

Earlier reports on the Permian conodont biostratigraphy of Western Australia have documented faunas from the Canning Basin (Noonkanbah Formation) and Carnarvon Basin (Callytharra, Coyrie, Wandagee and Coolkylia formations) that ranged in age from the Late Sakmarian to the Roadian. New studies have now documented additional Permian conodont faunas from the Perth Basin (Beekeeper Formation, and a single specimen of 'Clarkina jolfensis' from the basal Kockatea Shale) and from the Canning Basin (Nura Nura Member of the Poole Formation, from throughout the Noonkanbah Formation, in the Lightjack Formation and from the Kirkby Range and Cherrabun Members of the Hardman Formation). These faunas range in age from the Late Sakmarian to the Wuchiapingian and possibly Changhsingian. This study has been able to recognise a total of 9 species of the Genus 'Vjalovognathus' based on prominent morphologic trends. Unfortunately several of the key taxa have yet to be recognised in localities outside Australia.